Since taking over the leadership of Gloucester City Council in 2024, climate change and the environment have been a clear focus of my administration. The Climate Change Strategy sets an ambitious target for carbon neutrality by 2030.

One of the first results is the glyphosate-free trial underway in Westgate ward from March 2026 to March 2027, led by Cabinet Member for the Environment Councillor Sebastian Field and his climate team. This has the support of local Councillor, Rebecca Trimnell. The aim is to reduce the use of this toxic weedkiller and instead use other methods such as the mechanical weed ripping machine.

Glyphosate remains legal and is used in small amounts, but there are environmental concerns about its impact on plant life and insects. This trial is part of our wider approach to reducing glyphosate use and improving urban greening, while still stepping in where needed.

212,000 litres of diesel were saved

We’ve also made progress in cutting emissions from our operations. Around 212,000 litres of diesel were saved between April 2025 and January 2026 as the waste and recycling fleet switched to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).

HVO is a renewable, synthetic diesel alternative made from vegetable oils and animal fats, offering up to 90% lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel. It’s a cleaner fuel and, given global markets, it also protects the council from price spikes.
This has prevented over half a million kilograms of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. That’s great news for the environment and a big step towards being carbon neutral by 2030.

From April 2026, the crematorium, one of our biggest sources of emissions, will use 100% biomethane gas, and the wider council estate will be powered by renewable electricity.

Finally, just before Christmas we opened the green wall car park at Forum. It has 48,000 plants, which absorb the same CO2 as 32 mature trees. There are also 38 EV charging points.

These are practical steps that improve how the council runs while reducing our impact on the environment.

Jeremy Hilton is Leader of Gloucester City Council, City and County Councillor for Kingsholm & Wotton, Regeneration lead, and supporter of Gloucester City Football Club.